Behind the scenes of Return to Driftenberg

The recently released YouTube video “Return to Driftenberg”, by ST-suspensions brand ambassador Steve “Baggsy” Biagioni, was created in summer 2019 thanks to the active support of the municipality of Fichtenberg.

During the shooting of “Return to Driftenberg”, which lasted several days, countless scenes were created which were not published in the final edit of the Directors Cut of the two directors James Gilbert and Rikki Doughty.During the shooting, the residents were enthusiastic and were able to look over the shoulder of the team during the shooting. With the multi-part making-of video for “Return to Driftenberg”, the YouTube community now has the opportunity to see the shooting from a completely different perspective.

“Even before the shooting, we thought about shooting a making-of,” says ST Brand Manager Christina Gabriel.

“There was so much material that we could publish four parts on our social media channels instead of a short making-of.”

YouTube videos are becoming more and more elaborate and even drift videos like “Return to Driftenberg” involved more than 50 people behind the scenes.At the beginning of the year, the preparations had already started and by the spring there were the first dates for the location scouting.“At first it was planned to shoot the video on the KW automotive premises,” recalls Christina Gabriel. “But we decided differently after the first appointments.”During the appointments, on-site, “Baggsy” and Rikki Doughty fell in love with the branch line in Rauhenzainbachtal, which offered numerous interesting shots for the video. “At that time, we didn’t even know that we would need this route for half the night.”“The district office Schwäbisch Hall and the municipality Fichtenberg supported us all the way, so we could actually shoot there.”

The scenes for “Return to Driftenberg” were shot at a total of eight different locations and in the nine-minute long YouTube film, there are numerous cameo roles.

Even the mayor of Fichtenberg, Roland Miola, had an appearance and was regularly on location during the shooting.

The people from Fichtenberg were also able to take a look behind the scenes at designated locations and watch the 1,200 hp Nissan GT-R from up close and personal as well as have some small talk with Baggsy and Co.Why in Fichtenberg of all places is quickly explained. Steve “Baggsy” Biagioni’s Nissan GT-R is a former KW automotive development vehicle and has been extensively modified for drifting.For example, the Nissan V6 BiTurbo was replaced by a 1,200 hp US V8, the entire body was reinforced with a safety cell and numerous body and aerodynamic components were replaced by the lightweight high-tech carbon material.All in all the shooting lasted four long days and directly after the shooting day it went on behind the scenes. All the footage had to be viewed, sorted and above all secure.

“To the delight of our colleagues from the IT department, over 30 terabytes of moving images were created during the shooting,” smiles Christina Gabriel. “And a few gigabytes of the photographers’ footage.” But it wasn’t just the memory requirements for Return to Driftenberg that were immense. After every day of shooting, the vehicles were checked and partly overhauled. Not to mention the tire wear.Throughout the shooting, the Nissan with its turbocharged US V8 engine destroyed over 20 sets of tires due to the rough asphalt surfaces and the constant stress at the limits of driving physics.

On the Chase Car, an old Ford Mustang, the entire brake system had to be replaced even after the second day of shooting. To ensure that the shooting with its spectacular drift and stunt inlays went so perfectly and smoothly, a lot of preparation was necessary for the background and a well-rehearsed team was behind the camera as well as in front of the camera.

In addition to Rikki Doughty, cameraman Mike O’Neal, who mainly films motorsport events such as rallies, was also hired. It was almost a home game for the Welshman because he was already filming in Gaildorf at one or the other motocross race.

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KEY

Akrapovič's product line includes products regulated by national and international emission regulations. Akrapovič makes every effort to label regulated products and identify if they are for competition-use only or for general street/highway use in the regulated area. However, Akrapovič does not make any statement of compliance for products that do not have an explicit compliance label. Buyer is ultimately responsible for deciding if a part is legal for buyer's intended use.

CARB RP

Means that such product is "CARB compliant", i.e. compliant with the requirements of the Air Resources Board of the California Environmental Protection Agency. Products marked as CARB compliant are considered replacement parts under CARB regulations.

EPA

Means that such product meets the EPA noise standard as set forth by the United States Code of Federal Regulations, Title 40, Chapter I, Part 205, Subpart E (80 dBA).

ECE

For motorcycle exhaust systems: Means that such product is compliant with the requirements of the United Nations Regulation ECE-R92 on Uniform provisions concerning the approval of non-original replacement exhaust silencing systems (RESS) for motorcycles, mopeds and three-wheeled vehicles.

For car exhaust systems: Means that such product is compliant with the requirements of the United Nations Regulation ECE-R59 on Uniform provisions concerning the approval of replacement silencing systems.

EC

Means that such product is compliant with the applicable requirements of the European Union Directive EC 97/24 or the European Commission Delegated Regulation (EU) No. 134/2014 supplementing Regulation No. 168/2013 (EU) of the European Parliament and of the Council as indicated in the attached EC type approval document in the package and available on the product website.

ABE

Means that such product is compliant with the requirements of the German Type Approval, paragraph 20 of the StVZO.

SA

Means that such product meets the USAD Forest service Standard for spark arresters FS5100-1.